Preschool Associate Teacher

Catalyst teaching staff support the planning and implementation of Catalyst's programming for children ranging in age from infant, toddler, pre-school, kinder, and school age depending on the location.

Teachers must be able to facilitate a variety of age appropriate activities, support children's social emotional development, and ensure children are supervised at all times in a healthy and safe environment.

Essential Functions :

• Create and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum supported by learning foundations that are directly connected to their interests and promote positive child development
• Create, implement, and maintain intentional, enriched, and supportive learning environments and quality experiences that are age appropriate for all children
• Provide excellent customer service by establishing authentic connections and reciprocal, culturally responsive relationships with children, youth, families, schools, communities, and center / classroom team
• Keep children healthy and safe by ensuring proper supervision, positive interactions, healthy habits, and excellent compliance
• Work collaboratively with fellow staff by connecting work place values, education, and experience to provide the highest quality programs and creative workplaces

Work Environment :

All teaching staff are expected to demonstrate behaviors that are essential for successful programs and environment including the following :

• Positive interactions with children and youth
• Maintain kind, respectful, and safe emotional / physical environments for children
• Be on time and present on a regularly scheduled basis
• Be active in outdoor and indoor programs
• Be physically and mentally capable of interacting with children up to 13 years of age, meeting all their needs and ensuring their safety
• Be aware of and implement safety guidelines; report any health & safety issues or incidents to management, and remain calm if providing first aid (as needed) during emergency situations

Physical & Environmental Conditions :

Teaching staff are responsible for various program elements on a daily basis and will be exposed to indoor and outdoor elements.

Teaching staff may be required to :

• Visually insect environment for hazards to children; identify hazards and implement preventative actions ( set up cones to limit play area) to maintain a safe environment for children
• Be comfortable with occasional loud noise in our outside the classroom during activities
• Be comfortable with frequent bending, lifting, twisting, reaching, pushing, and pulling
• Push, lift, carry, and hold various objects up to 15 lbs. - by individual or team effort - such as equipment carts, emergency back packs, food coolers, classroom furnishings, and other similar program materials
• Work inside the classroom or outside the room in all weather conditions which are safe for children
• Traverse various terrains (grass, blacktop, dirt) and heights (ladders, playgrounds) depending on the school outdoor environment
• Adapt to the physical level of children ( sitting on the floor, kneeling, squatting) for activities and problem-solving interactions
• Supervise field trips to destinations such as aquatic parks, beaches, and trampoline parks

Qualifications & Experience :

Associate Teacher are members of the teaching team who share responsibility for the care and education of an assigned group of children / classroom.

There may be more than one person designated as an Associate Teacher for each group of children.

Education

Education and permit requirements may vary by center needs / require age group specific units depending on the program, such as Infant, Toddler, School-Age, Title 5 or Title 22 status.

Associate Teacher education / permit requirements :

• 12-24 postsecondary semester or equivalent quarter units in ECE, CD, or related field with passing grades of C- or better. OR
• Associate Teacher Permit or above issues by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

Experience & Skills

• 6-12 months of experience in a group care environment where care / teaching was provided for a consistent age group is preferred
• Effective problem solving, conflict resolution, classroom management, and communication with children and families
• Effective organization, time management, curriculum, and assessment documentation (lesson plans, portfolios, and anecdotal notes)
• Ability to work alongside colleagues and maintain a professional team environment
• Current adult and infant / child CPR & First Aid certification is preferred
• Bilingual / multilingual language preference based on individual center needs

Shift Type : Full Time

Schedule : Monday - Friday, 9 : 30am - 6pm

Compensation : $ - $ hourly

What We Offer :

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits (may vary depending on Full Time or Part Time status)
• 401(k) Retirement plan, Flexible Spending Account, Employee Assistance Program
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Discounted childcare
• Be constantly in a learning and growth process with trainings and professional growth advisory

We are proud to be an EEO / AA employer M / F / D / V. We maintain a drug-free workplace.